Former Louis C.K. manager apologizes for 'not listening'

by SANDY COHEN, AP Entertainment Writer

FILE - In this June 25, 2016 file photo, Louis C.K. attends the premiere of "The Secret Life of Pets" in New York. The New York premiere Thursday of Louis C.K.’s controversial new film “I Love You, Daddy” has been cancelled amid swirling controversy over the film and the comedian. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)

Dave Becky says in a lengthy statement Monday that he misunderstood the nature of the allegations brought forth by a female comedy duo in 2002 who claimed C.K. masturbated in front of them without their consent. The allegations by Dana Min Goodman and Julia Wolov were among several included in a New York Times report last week about C.K.'s history of misconduct.

Becky said he misinterpreted the women's complaint and sought discretion for what he considered an issue of infidelity for his then-married client. At the time, he said, he did not consider the women's interaction with C.K. as "threatening or non-consensual."

"If I had, I would have taken this event as seriously as it deserved to be, and I would have confronted Louis, which would have been the right thing to do," Becky said in his statement. "I now comprehend that my response was perceived as a threat to cover-up sexual misconduct. This is not an excuse. What I did was wrong, and again, I am extremely sorry."

Becky and 3Arts Entertainment dropped C.K. as a client after the New York Times detailed allegations of sexual misconduct from five women against the comedian. C.K. has since said the allegations are true.

Becky maintains in his statement that he was unaware of his client's behavior beyond the 2002 incident.

"I have come to realize my status wielded an atmosphere where such news did not reach me, or worse yet, that it seemed such news did not matter to me," Becky wrote. "It does. It matters tremendously."

Becky's apology comes as fallout from the Hollywood sexual harassment scandal continues to spread through the entertainment and media industries. A flood of allegations against various powerful men have surfaced since the New York Times published its expose last month about decades of harassment and cover-ups by movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.

The group editor of DC Comics was fired Monday amid allegations of sexual harassment reported last week by BuzzFeed. Warner Bros and DC Entertainment said editor Eddie Berganza was fired and that the organizations are "committed to eradicating harassment."

BuzzFeed reported last week that included on-the-record accounts of Berganza sticking his tongue in the mouth of one female employee and repeatedly trying to kiss another female employee.

___

AP National Writer Hillel Italie in New York contributed to this report.